The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum (PDP-GF) has strongly condemned the actions of those it described as financiers of “low-willed factions” within the party promoting a rumoured 2027 presidential ticket featuring former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, dismissed reports that five PDP governors were secretly backing an el-Rufai/Obi candidacy. The forum accused certain political actors of trying to destabilise the opposition party through misinformation and internal divisions.
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“The PDP Governors’ Forum is not in consonance with these actors, neither does it enjoy any ambience of political space to discuss nor seal the auction of the PDP through lowlife grifters who are allegedly working behind the scenes to support a ‘potential Nasir el-Rufai/Peter Obi presidential ticket in the 2027 election,’” the statement read.
The PDP governors alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was behind the rumours, accusing the party of attempting to weaken opposition forces and entrench one-party rule.
“These negative forces and their agents, unable to accept the PDP’s challenge to their failed economic policies, are now resorting to direct confrontation. Their goal is to divide the opposition and cripple democratic institutions through questionable legal interpretations and political manoeuvres,” the forum stated.
They further accused the ruling party of financing internal divisions within the PDP in an attempt to co-opt opposition governors and push a political realignment that would serve the APC’s long-term interests.
Reiterating their loyalty to the PDP, the governors dismissed speculations that any of them were considering abandoning the party or backing an external presidential bid in 2027.
“Unsatisfied with the results their clones have gotten in the low-willed factions they keep financing within our party structure, they have proceeded with direct confrontation on the governors towards creating a one-party entrapment, with the intention to split the opposition and thereby cripple democratic institutions and values through questionable adoptions and misinterpretation of the law, all to strangle the lifeline of our nation to enforce dictatorship and one-party rule,” the forum stated in the statement signed by its Director-General, Dr Emmanuel Agbo.
“As a formidable party, all organs of the PDP remain committed to reconciliation, party unity, and strengthening governance at the subnational level to improve the lives of Nigerians,” the forum stated.
The statement described the speculation as an effort to discredit the performance of PDP governors, many of whom, it said, were working hard to mitigate economic hardship despite “intimidation by the ruling APC.”
“In the world of politics, rumours and speculations are common, but we will not allow these ‘Enemies of Progress’ and ‘Agents of Confusion’ to gaslight Nigerians into drawing erroneous conclusions,” the statement added.
The forum emphasised that in 2027, the PDP would rally behind whoever emerges as its presidential candidate to challenge the APC at the polls.
“Our principles are rooted in equity, social justice, sincerity of purpose, accountability, and the enhancement of the lives of Nigerians. In 2027, PDP governors, as disciplined leaders and stakeholders, will wholeheartedly support whoever emerges as the flag-bearer of our great party in the battle to wrest power from the non-performers at the centre,” the forum declared.
It assured party members and supporters that the PDP remained united and focused on reclaiming power in 2027.
“The dreams of our founding fathers will not be in vain,” the statement concluded.
Rumours of an alliance between el-Rufai and Obi have circulated in recent weeks, with speculations that certain opposition figures might back an alternative presidential bid outside the PDP’s structures.
The PDP governors’ strong rebuttal may signal the main opposition’s determination to maintain internal cohesion and resist attempts to fragment its base ahead of the next general election.